Late in August, we were invited to present atzone conferences in the Vina Del Mar Mission which is west of Santiago on the Pacific coast and runs north several hundred miles. It was great to get out of the city and see some of the beautiful countryside. It was about a 5 hour drive north west to arrive in the colonial city of La Serena.
These missionaries translated for Cathy Dixon and me in the zone conference and did a wonderful job. Both of them are from countries in South America.
La Serena has many beautiful Catholic cathedrals.
It also boasts beautifully cared for colonial style government buildings.
Here is an example of a local neighborhood housing development. Charming.
City streets were busy and very clean which is in contrast to many South American cities.
Traffic congestion is common which is amazing to me because many people use public transportation. If they all had cars this country would be grid locked!
The local museum had a statue from Easter Island which was interesting but not as interesting as the 2 shrunken heads exhibited! I was so startled by them that I did a little research online. I discovered that shrunken heads were only made by a couple of tribes in Peru and Equador. The warriors would kill their victims and cut off their heads. They would then spend a week or two preparing the shrunken head. Basically, they skinned it, and then tanned it. During the process it shrunk. Then they stuffed it. UCK! Unfortunately, North American tourists in the late 1800's and early 1900's liked to collect them. This lead to a market for such things and the countries had to outlaw the sale of and importation of such souvenirs. I didn't take a picture and I won't be bringing any home!
Along the beach there is a light house. There are also about 40 high rise condos with views of the ocean. La Serena is a popular resort town.
This is a view of Coquimbo looking back to La Serena. Coquimbo use to be the stomping ground of Sir Frances Drake the explorer one time pirate. This picture was taken from the inside of a giant cement cross called Cruz del Tercer Milenio. The cross dominates the city and can be seen for miles. You take two elevators to arrive at the horizontal portion which houses an observation area. It is not for the faint of heart. It is 93 meters tall. But some experiences are not to be missed.
These flowers were at the foot of the cross. We have these flowers even in winter in Chile.
This photograph gives you an idea of how the cross stands out on the horizon of this small city.
The horizontal piece has windows for photos. It was an anxiety invoking experience for me but Bryce loved it.
At the foot of the cross is large chapel with a replica of the Pieta by Michaelangelo. I actually saw the original in Rome two summers ago. This one didn't have a crowd around it so we could enjoy it. They also had a museum with papal robes and hats and jewels that was unique.
These missionaries translated for Cathy Dixon and me in the zone conference and did a wonderful job. Both of them are from countries in South America. 
La Serena has many beautiful Catholic cathedrals. 
It also boasts beautifully cared for colonial style government buildings. 
Here is an example of a local neighborhood housing development. Charming.
City streets were busy and very clean which is in contrast to many South American cities. 
Traffic congestion is common which is amazing to me because many people use public transportation. If they all had cars this country would be grid locked!
The local museum had a statue from Easter Island which was interesting but not as interesting as the 2 shrunken heads exhibited! I was so startled by them that I did a little research online. I discovered that shrunken heads were only made by a couple of tribes in Peru and Equador. The warriors would kill their victims and cut off their heads. They would then spend a week or two preparing the shrunken head. Basically, they skinned it, and then tanned it. During the process it shrunk. Then they stuffed it. UCK! Unfortunately, North American tourists in the late 1800's and early 1900's liked to collect them. This lead to a market for such things and the countries had to outlaw the sale of and importation of such souvenirs. I didn't take a picture and I won't be bringing any home!
Along the beach there is a light house. There are also about 40 high rise condos with views of the ocean. La Serena is a popular resort town. 
This is a view of Coquimbo looking back to La Serena. Coquimbo use to be the stomping ground of Sir Frances Drake the explorer one time pirate. This picture was taken from the inside of a giant cement cross called Cruz del Tercer Milenio. The cross dominates the city and can be seen for miles. You take two elevators to arrive at the horizontal portion which houses an observation area. It is not for the faint of heart. It is 93 meters tall. But some experiences are not to be missed.
These flowers were at the foot of the cross. We have these flowers even in winter in Chile. 
This photograph gives you an idea of how the cross stands out on the horizon of this small city. 
The horizontal piece has windows for photos. It was an anxiety invoking experience for me but Bryce loved it. 
At the foot of the cross is large chapel with a replica of the Pieta by Michaelangelo. I actually saw the original in Rome two summers ago. This one didn't have a crowd around it so we could enjoy it. They also had a museum with papal robes and hats and jewels that was unique. 
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